President Bush said yesterday that he would express America’s “gratitude to the Almighty” for Pope John Paul II when he leads a delegation to Vatican City Friday as the first sitting U.S. president to go to a pope’s funeral.

“The world will miss him. And it is my great honor, on behalf of our country, to express our gratitude to the Almighty for such a man. And, of course, we look forward to celebrating such a significant human life,” Bush said.

“He’s a courageous person. He’s a moral person. He was a godly person. And he’s had a huge influence, not only amongst, for example, young people in America but around the world.”

First Lady Laura Bush will accompany the president. Officials said the five-member official delegation could also include former Presidents Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, schedules permitting.

Mayor Bloomberg will travel to the Vatican in his private plane for the pope’s funeral, taking with him a delegation from the city.

Bloomberg will bring with him former Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., City Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera, Rep. Vito Fossella (R-S.I.), Polish National Alliance President Christine Bekker McMullen and Jimmy Boyle, former president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association.

Gov. Pataki is also exploring a possible trip to Rome for the funeral, while aides said former Mayor Giuliani would pay his respects at services at a church in New York Friday.

Bush acknowledged the pope’s opposition to the war in Iraq and said he appreciated the pontiff’s judgment – even though they disagreed.

“Of course, he was a man of peace and he didn’t like war, and I fully understood that, and I appreciated the conversations I had with the Holy Father on the subject,” the president said.

He said a visit to the pope’s summer residence at Castel Gandolfo was one of the most treasured moments of his presidency.

“I can remember him taking us out on the balcony of this fabulous palace overlooking a magnificent lake and talking about his views of the world,” Bush said.